This is an epic ending to an amazing series! Busse outdid herself here. The Ravenwood Saga has been a blast to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoy all of Morgan Busse's books. I preferred the first two in this series, but still enjoyed the conclusion.

Cry of the Raven is a rousing finish to Morgan L. Busse's Ravenwood Saga, as five of the seven great houses come together to fight against the invading Dominia Empire. With her mother in league with the Empire, Lady Selene Ravenwood has more than one battle to fight, as her house, her people, and her marriage to Lord Damien are endangered.

As the story builds toward the climactic showdown, Selene's gifts and faith in the Light grow and the powers that the great houses were given are explored as gifts from the Light. While most of the story sees Damien off riding Wyverns and brooding over difficulties with his power, the scenes between the newly married couple do strike just the right notes of misunderstandings and insecurities, but ultimately of mutual support and strengthening love.

What began in the first book of the trilogy as a story of a young woman's rebellion culminates in battles between the houses and the Empire, Dream Killers versus Dream Walker, and the Light versus the Dark Lady with some of the hardest battles within the dreamscape.

As I began this trilogy, I was unsure of it as Christian fiction. In Cry of the Raven I found a wonderful representation of who the Light is, and fell even deeper into this story of light versus dark and hate versus love. All in all, the Ravenwood Saga and Cry of the Raven are now favorite adventure filled Christian Fantasy Romances.

This review refers to a temporary digital galley I voluntarily read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

***4.5 stars***

I may be slightly obsessed. I received a review copy via Netgalley. That wasn't enough, I purchased a kindle copy. While I was reading the book I decided that I needed a paperback copy to complete my collection. I own two separate copies of the book. There is no reason that I shouldn't reread the whole series one right after the other instead of time lapses between each.

The book and characters were so real to me. It is set in a fantasy medieval world. The forces between light and dark are waging a war that is brought to a conclusion in this book. There are houses that have been given the task to protect the land, but two of the houses left the light and entered into a pact with the "dark lady" and are seeking to control the other houses.

Seline and Damien are from two different houses, one that worships the light, and the other, the dark. They are both powerful leaders that when they joined forces as husband and wife, make a powerful weapon against the darkness.

I give a hearty recommendation for the series. They need to be read in order. I finished the series feeling fulfilled and sad that the journey came to an end. It would be nice to imagine that there is a place where the characters continue to live a "happily ever after" after the last page of the book. In my mind, I will continue to imagine that that place is real.

I'M SO DEAD. THAT MAGNIFICENT ENDING. I'M SO DEAD.

10 billion stars.

So. It took me more than a month to recover. We're all very surprised.

Thinking about writing this review has been driving me crazy. Words aren't enough this time. How could they be? The pressure I've put on myself to write the best review ever (because Morgan L. Busse is amazing and deserves it) has made me insane.

Don't mind my endless fangirling in this *coughs* "professional" review.

This book encouraged me. It reached beyond my mind and touched my heart. My soul. Needless to say, I cried, and laughed, and FELT THINGS FAR BEYOND WHAT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE for pretend humans.

(You honestly probably don't want to know this so skip it and keep reading ..... but I went outside after I finished this book. I screamed at the sky and the trees and the air. And then I wept. Because Damien and Selene weren't real and the adventure I shared with them was over.)

The gentle and yet intense weaving of this story puts me in awe. Words. They are magical creatures in the hands of Morgan L. Busse. They dance and sing from their hearts for her.

ALSO OH MY LANTA. THE ADORABLE LEVEL OF THIS BOOK IS 😍😍😍. I CAN'T EVEN. CAN WE JUST HAVE ONE MORE CUTE KISSING SCENE??? THANK YOU. 💖

I miss them all so much already. 😭

Setting: gLoRiOuS. *sings gayly* The magical, wonderful, fantastical world of Morgan L. Busse's imagination. Where all seven Great Houses have been given a gift. A gift that reflects the Light.

Plot: The pacing was amazing. Not too slow .... normally quite action packed. I guess they're were some areas some people might consider boring. Battle planing and working out strategies. But I lOvEd it. 💞

Description: Can I just say that I was impressed? Okay. I'm impressed. I'm very impressed. The tiniest details are important and brought to light. I love it. OMW. Everything is flushed out perfectly, all blending together. No scene was idle.

Romance: RIDICULOUSLY CUTE. THEY ARE ONE OF MY TOP OTP's. 😍 Selene + Damien for lifeeeeeeee. (someone help me.) It was clean and absolutely a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. I can't stress that enough. Go read the whole trilogy. It portrayed what marriage is suppose to look like. Messy yet so focused on love. They hurt one another (with their words), they support one another, they get back up again and move on. 💖

Content: SO. CLEAN. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It is YA. It's a Christian Allegorical Fantasy. There are some darker moments. Depression and loneliness. All the things we face in life. Mild kissing. Husband and Wife laying in bed with one another. Suggestive conversations. It's all handled delicately.

Message: Learning to let go and let God. 😭😍💖 "Put all things in the hands of the Light" This touched my heart. I got goose bumps So Many Times. 💕

Characters: AHhHahaahHahahahAhahhhhhHhHhhHh. Theywereallsoamazingandican'teverstopscreamingaboutthem. THEY WERE DEEP. COMPASSIONATE. FORGIVING. SINFUL. PEOPLE. They made mistakes. They fell down. The got back up again. Even though it hurt. Even though it felt impossible. They are an inspiration. They are all so encouraging. The things they say. The feelings they deal with. The victories they have. It teaches us we can be victorious too. 😭😭😍😍

Overall: I have yet to recover. I don't think I ever can. The impact this book has had on my life .... 💕 Thank you, Morgan L. Busse. Never stop writing.

AND YOU. Yes, you. The one I'm looking at. The one who read through this whole mess of words. GO BUY A COPY AND READ IT ASAP IF YOU ALREADY HAVEN'T. MEND YOUR MISTAKE.

**FTC DISCLOSURE** I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I request that you don't take them personally. Thanks! :)

Will dark secrets from the past destroy them all?

OK, I admit it. I almost didn't want to start Cry Of The Raven. I mean, I was really looking forward to more of Morgan L. Busse's stellar fantasy writing. But. This is the last book in The Ravenwood Saga and I just didn't want to say goodbye. I wanted to see the Dominia Empire finally routed and the seven great houses actually work together but...no more Selene, no more dreamwalking, no more Damien...yeah, that makes me a bit sad.

In many ways it was wonderful to see Selene finally come into her own as she discovers exactly why The Light gifted her family as He did and as she also learns use that gift as it was intended. Damien, too, must learn some difficult things and make some even more difficult choices as he either loses or strengthens his gift.

As with the previous books in The Ravenwood Saga there is plenty of danger, intrigue, betrayal, and a seemingly insurmountable foe in Cry Of The Raven. And once again, author Morgan L. Busse's masterful storytelling brings her world to life in vivid detail enabling the reader's imagination to take flight, in raven form of course.

I loved Cry Of The Raven and the rest of The Ravenwood Saga and am firmly hooked on Morgan L. Busse and anything she might write, either past or future. Whether you are a part of the intended YA audience or are an adult reader, if you enjoy epic fantasy with a Christian flare I would highly recommend this book and the entire series.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Satisfying and unpredictable ending to an unforgettable series!

Morgan L Busse really brought it home with this one! I've loved all of the books but this one, I felt like it challenged Selene to her limits. Her challenges will continue to lapidate her into who she wants to be and it is beautiful. Beautiful to see her sharing and loving those around her as well.
Well done!

Cry of the Raven was an amazing conclusion to the Ravenwood Saga. Admittedly, the story took a while to get off the ground (so to speak), but from about halfway through it got a lot better.

The characters prepare for their battle with the Dominia Empire, with whom Selene's mother is aligned. Most aspects of this fantasy story are tightly plotted and well-written, especially the part about Selene discovering how she can use her gifts to do good and to help others. Not simply to harm, as she's been taught.

There were only a few things which I felt weren't necessary. The wyverns (two legged dragons) for example. I understand they're based on the idea of a culture of dragon riders, but I'm not sure they were necessary to the story and they looked too much like aping of a certain popular Fantasy series from HBO. (Thankfully, there's considerably less sex in this.)
Seriously, though, the fantasy world that Busse has created is strong enough to stand my itself, without appendages from other stories.

It was interesting to see Selene and Damien's relationship develop, but also see them develop as characters individually. A lot of family secrets were revealed in this one, which could have destroyed them both. Selene's final confrontation with The Dark Lady revealed a lot of the allegorical aspects of the story, and the nature of 'the light' which many readers have probably already come to suspect. Its expected, but satisfying.
And the possibility of even Lady Rabbana finding redemption was a good touch, as well as the surprise which she is presented with in the final part.

Cry of the Raven was an excellent conclusion to the story. There were a few loose ends not totally tied up, but nothing essential to the story. I'd recommend this to all lovers of Epic Fantasy, but with the caveat that readers really out to start this series from the beginning with Mark of the Raven.

Thanks to the publisher for my ARC from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Morgan L. Busse’s Ravenwood Saga comes to an action-packed conclusion in Cry of the Raven as she once again explores the battle between light and dark, this time more within the kingdom she has created than within her characters as was the case in the first two books in the series. But that’s not to say there weren’t challenges for her characters to overcome individually, particularly when it came to relationships between the lords and ladies of the various houses and the use of their gifts.

Despite the amount of action in this story (particularly in the second half), this one didn’t quite have the same intensity for me as the previous two in the series, I think partly because I’m a character-driven reader and the bulk of the character development for Damien and Selene happened in the first two books. There were circumstances that kept them apart in this novel and even threatened their lives, but I found this tension wasn’t as compelling as Selene’s journey from darkness to light or Selene and Damien learning to trust and even love one another.

Even so, I’ve loved the way this series has explored the themes of light and dark, particularly through Selene’s gift of dreamwalking. The world building was engaging and imaginative and would suit readers who enjoy fantasy but aren’t looking for the complexity of an epic fantasy read or who aren’t normally fantasy readers but would like to try something that will expand their reading horizons.

War has finally come between the Great Houses and the Dominia Empire. But a dark secret from their past threatens to divide their united stand.



Picking up right where the previous book left off, Selene Ravenwood is coming into the full strength of her dreamwalking powers, and her relationship with her husband is growing stronger. This completion of the trilogy is a satisfying read, tying together threads hinted at in previous books as well as forging ahead in new ways. Ms. Busse is a skilled storyteller, with strong world building skills that immersed me into Selene and Damien's world.



I was thrilled by the return of some of my favorite characters from the very first book, like Caiaphas who rises to the occasion to protect his family and country despite the difficult circumstances.



I admired Damien's leadership, and how he put others first when serving his country. I also liked how he grew in his faith through the trials of war, and the burden of suffering.



I also loved how we got to see more of the other houses and how their gifts worked, as well as their friendships among each other, as they overcame doubts and fought side by side for those they loved.



Overall, a fitting conclusion and satisfying read, that expands on the groundwork laid in previous books, showcasing excellent worldbuilding, humanity, political intrigue, powers at play, and a message of hope rooted in faith. Ms. Busse strikes a sweet balance of faith without being too allegory heavy, while still conveying a powerful message. Highly recommended for fans of the series, and Christian fantasy.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have seriously enjoyed every book in this series. I think the second was my favorite, but this one was great too. Busse continued with the strong character development, but there was a lot more action in this book. Honestly, my biggest complaint was how much time Selene and Damien spent apart. I get that they need to grow as separate people, yada yada, but I really enjoy how much they challenge each other. A very good end to a very good trilogy.

Wow, this is Good!

Good and evil clash in part three of this exciting story, and if you have not read the other two books (Mark of the Raven & Flight of the Raven), you will need to in order to appreciate this tale. How can the Great Houses hope to win when they are not all united? Trouble is brewing because Damien has begun having problems using his gift—without which, all will be lost.

Lady Selene discovers how her gift was meant to be used, and puts it into practice. Her mother and the Dark Lady team up to destroy her; can Selene defeat them when it is two against one? Others do not trust Selene, and view her every move with suspicion, will that keep her from being able to fully help with the cause?

There are revelations in this tale, and the unexpected, including what becomes of Selene and her mother.

I do not like fantasy, but I LOVED THIS BOOK! It is a captivating story that will grab you and not let you go. The drama, plus all the twists and turns, will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is told from a Christian viewpoint. The only negative? This is the last of the series. I highly recommend this 5-plus star book to everyone; it is that good. No matter what your taste, you will love this book!

Bethany House Publishing through NetGalley has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, Cry of the Raven, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

First, I really enjoyed this series (as I have other series by this author). Thanks NetGalley & publishers for the e-ARC.

While I liked this series overall, I found the third book to be a little slow-moving at times. Without giving too many spoilers, I didn't love the "crisis" between the main characters. It seemed a little odd and out of place. Despite not loving the pacing and some of the plot lines, I still really enjoyed the story. The magic was interesting, as was the world-building. The characters were likeable. I recommend reading the first two books in the series before tackling this one.

I look forward to future series by Morgan Busse.

In Cry of the Raven, power couple Selene and Damien return. And this time, they’re fighting for the people.

Morgan L. Busse has written a trilogy that captured me from the first pages of the first book and, while it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, the finale is even more captivating than the previous books.
Storylines that began in the first book are picked up in Cry of the Raven and I enjoyed learning more about the different gifts of each of the houses and the way they come together to fight for freedom. The continued theme of light versus darkness is also prevalent.

While all of that is happening, there’s a much deeper and heartfelt message about trusting God in our valleys. Not only trusting ourselves to him but trusting those we love to him and believing that even while we are grieving the difficult losses, God is in control.

With this powerful and memorable trilogy concluded, I am excited to find out what Busse has in store for readers next.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

In this final book, Selene and Damien will face their greatest threat.

Morgan Busse does an exceptional job of showing that sometimes our greatest enemy is ourselves, and the biggest battle we’ll ever face is the one inside our own minds.

Bringing all the story threads together, Cry of the Raven is a pulse-pounding fantasy that takes you to the edge of tension and deep into the hearts of characters you’ve come to love.

The conclusion to the sage is poignantly sweet while still managing to wage war against the forces of evil. We cannot understand why things happen the way they do, but we can trust that there is a reason behind the apparent madness.

This is a world you won’t want to leave, with settings so pronounced you’ll feel the spray of water against your skin as you travel with Damien and Selene to the final battle in this epic saga.

I requested a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

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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)

This book was absolutely fantastic. It hooked me from the first page! This book was intense from start to finish. Morgan Busse knows how to captivate a reader with enough tension and emotion to keep the pages turning. I was completely satisfied with how this book and series ended. It was epic!

I didn’t think the Ravenwood Saga could get any better, but I was wrong. The third and final installment, Cry of the Raven, is a breathtaking work of fiction, in both its non-stop excitement and in its beauty.
Busse ticked all the boxes for a great story: love and hatred, good and evil, action and drama, memorable characters, and a beautiful world to pack it all into. The depth of emotion she built into this story was unbelievable. I found myself cheering and sniffling and flipping pages like a madwoman to find out how they’d get through it all.
And that wasn’t even the best part for me. I loved how she wrote so much Truth into the character arcs, having her characters (most especially Selene) find the Light and then learn to seek the Light and depend on the Light for all their needs. Absolutely beautiful!
I most definitely recommend you read Morgan L. Busse’s Cry of the Raven. I would suggest you start at the beginning of the series, if you haven’t yet, and read Mark of the Raven and Flight of the Raven first. Not only are they also great reads, but reading the entire Ravenwood Saga in order makes everything more cohesive and wonderful.
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂

War with the Dominia Empire is at hand. Lady Selene of House Ravenwood and Lord Damien of House Maris are trying to unite the Seven Houses to stand together against the evil foe, but some would rather align themselves with the strong invading army rather than risk being wiped out.

Damien is convinced that as the Light gave each of the Seven Houses their own gift, they must all work together in order to defeat the enemy. This book does a great job diving further into the seven gifts and how they are best used. Including that of our heroine Selene, whose dreamwalking abilities continue to impact the story in multiple ways.

I truly enjoyed this series. I'm being brief in my description here because I don't want to spoil things. If fantasy is at all interesting to you, please check out these stories. I do not read much fantasy myself, but it's stories like these that make me happy when I do. I would love to see more books within this world the author has created.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

An exciting and action packed finale to this wonderful trilogy! Definitely recommend reading the first two books in the series before reading this, and if you have been you will not be disappointed in this final instalment! Finally the Empire has invaded and the 7 kingdoms must unite and use their gifts the way the Light intended them to be used in order to defeat the Empire. Will the be able to succeed and work together in time?