Cry of the Raven

Morgan L. Busse delivers a satisfying ending to the Ravenwood Saga in Cry of the Raven. After what seemed like a long wait since the last book in the series, readers can finally see what happens with Selene Ravenwood and her husband Damien Maris of two of the seven great houses. The couple must do what they can to help save their lands and peoples from the Dominian Empire. But with her family’s dark history, can Selene convince the coalition to trust that she is not like her family, that she will use her powers for the good of the coalition and not for harm? Selene desires to use her Light-given powers to help the people, not hurt them, but trust goes both ways as she discovers how the great houses had sacrificed her family in the past. Can Damien discover and overcome the inner barrier he faces when trying to use his powers to raise the waters to protect the people? Cry of the Raven provides plenty of action, suspense, and excitement as the author draws the story together to tie it up. It was an enjoyable read from a great author who creates believable worlds and interesting characters. It was suspenseful with unpredictable predicability—just enough but not too much! Readers will not be disappointed in the read, just that the journey has come to an end and that they must find a new series to read. Hopefully Busse will deliver an equally exciting new series in the near future!

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

There are no words to express how much I adored this trilogy and this conclusion was perfection. I want to cry and scream on the top of a hilltop about how much I love this trilogy. Morgan L. Busse has crafted an amazing fantasy world, wove scripture seamlessly and created such dynamic characters you grow to love and dislike.

Selene has grown so much from the first book to the last. She's stronger emotionally. Doesn't rely on herself and on thoughts. She's more into the people and protecting those she loves. She's all for the Light and fighting back against the Dark Lady. Seeing her mature in her gift was absolutely fantastic. Selene will always be my little pudding pie. I adore her heart.

Damien was such an amazing young man from beginning to end. What I appreciated most in this is that we got to see his vulnerable side. He shows that even though you may have a huge heart, there is a weakness and mental battle with that. Damien is a man of honor, courage and love. He embodies what a man should be in leadership, love and family.

The romance was clean, sweet and everything! I adored the way their romance wasn't always peaches and cream. You saw the good, the saw the bad, the arguments, the drama, the harsh words said to one another. You saw them grow and mature in their love and romance. They definitely had a strong connection since book one, but this final book gave me everything and more especially Riven.

Lady Ragna is still a woman I can't stand, but I felt bad for her towards the end. She's the product of what happens when you live by the past your family dictates to you. The Dark Lady was a wicked being. I'm glad she was done away with.

Lord Leo was HIGHLY aggravating at first, but I loved his apology and how he befriended Selene. Lady Ayaka, Lady Bryren, Lord Renlar and Raoul were all great assets. Seeing the Great House coming together along with some of the lesser and noble houses was epic. It proved that people work better together rather then against one another.

The faith aspects were phenomenal in this story! Learning to lean on God when your strength runs out. Learning to use your gifts for better. Understanding that even in the dark moments the Light still shines. I can go on and on about the faith, but I just loved the use of scripture.

Overall, this was an epic end. War, love and victory. I highly recommend this book and the entire trilogy as a whole. A fantastic Christian fantasy!

Yes, I did apply for an arc of this book on netgalley because I was too impatient to wait for February. 😂

One of my most anxiously awaited reads of 2020, Cry of the Raven was an excellent ending to the Ravenwood Saga. I loved seeing how Selene has grown since book one, and the romance between her and Damien is so sweet!

One thing I also really loved was the joining of the Houses in working together. It's clear from the beginning that if they are to have any hope of defeating the empire, they need to work together in using their gifts, and that was a touch I greatly appreciated. Even some of the less-than-admirable characters are given a bit more depth, and there were also some specific interactions between characters that I was glad to see. Plus, the ending itself is also lovely and hopeful, and just what I was wishing for.

The first two books in the series are still my favorite, but this was a more than satisfying conclusion, and I hope to buy a paperback copy to complete the series on my bookshelf as soon as February rolls around.

I received this book for free from netgalley.com in exchange for my honest review.

This series was a bit different from my usual reads, but I'm so glad I stepped outside my "box."

This is a satisfying conclusion to the Ravenwood Saga. It was nice to learn how everything turned out for Selene and Damien, as well as the various houses. (If you haven't read the other books in the series, I recommend doing that first, as this one picks up where the prior book ended.).

It was great to see how Selene has grown throughout the series, particularly in relation to the Light. Damien is a wonderful example of a leader, as well as a husband. The romance angle isn't overwhelming. Busse showed the reader all sides, not just the good.

I love how the author weaves the faith angle throughout the story/series, especially the importance of turning to and clinging to God, as well as looking to him for direction.

The action and intrigue keeps the reader engaged. It's sad to see the series come to an end, but I look forward to what Busse will come up with next!

I've only read book 3 (I recommend you start with book #1 - I would if I did it again). At first it took a hot minute to get acquainted with all the characters due to this infraction (however when I saw it on net galley, I couldn't pass the opportunity to review it!). It sounded interesting, to say the least. The story definitely exceeded the expectation.

Selene seemed a little melodramatic at first but her character arc was wonderful. I loved hearing how her heart had changed and the source of her power had changed. I won't add more because it will spoil the fun.

Overall, it was a swooping fantasy with the perfect amount of charm and fantastical. The author made Selene and Damien's love life tangible and sweet (and not at all graphic)! There seems to be an unnecessary amount of graphic relationships in fantasy nowadays so that was refreshing.

I would definitely recommend.

On a personal note, this book has a soft spot in my heart now. My grandma passed away the day I finished it and like Damien, I needed to hear those words that the Light will take better care of those then we could ever imagine! Love you grandma!

Be aware that this review will have spoilers for Mark of the Raven and Flight of the Raven as this is the third book in this series! Please do not read any further if you haven’t read those! I try to keep spoilers at a minimum but some can’t be avoided.

In Cry of the Raven, the stakes are higher than ever before... the empire is on the move, allied with two houses including Selene’s mother, and it’s up to the remaining houses to stand together or fall. War is coming. We start where Flight of the Raven ends, with the death of someone Selene loved very much, and with a single sentence I was immediately thrown back into all these feels. But Selene has no time to mourn, as the houses comes together and decisions need to be made. Shaken as she is, she has trouble trusting other people, but she tries anyway. Throughout the book she really grows as a person, and overcomes her fears and becomes a wise, confident woman who is not afraid to show every part of herself and is kind to others.

Damien is being awesome as always. Ok I just simply adore him, he can’t do anything wrong in my eyes. He’s everything you want in a man, and Selene finally can admit to herself that she loves him, which is awesome! What I love about their relationship, is that it feels so real, and you can see it growing, maybe even more because it is very clean. Because they actually TALK. A lot. They talk about everything, their feelings and what they want and their loved ones, and it just takes their relationship to a whole other level. And I just love that. Damien always is very respectful of Selene’s boundaries and vice versa, but they would die for each other. But, as Damien learns, you can feel extremely responsible and care a lot about someone, you need to give them in God’s hand and let the fear of losing them go. This was such a wise lesson that really struck home for me.

What I also love is that the other houses are featured more and more history is revealed. We get to see a lot of the other lords and ladies, and that gives this story an extra dimension. Elric was the absolute best, he brings a lot of humor into the mix! One thing I loved too: there is much importance placed on the smaller things. In a war it can be too much on a grand scale, when only big things happening, but there was much room for introspection, for debating how to use your power in a good way, and there were many personal struggles to overcome, too. That kept the plot interesting, though I have to admit that it did sag a little in the middle for me. Everyone was off to another place, all over the country, and it was like all they did was travel back and forth. The dual POV made it better, and I get why it has to happen this way, but I still would have liked less traveling overall. And maybe I would have liked to have a bit more plot concentrated around Caiaphas, like maybe a long emotional talk about what happened with the Ravenwood members, and more importantly: what Caiaphas has done all these years in secret. I would really like to know that! (I’m hoping for a prequel novella here, Morgan!). 

Some parts were heartbreaking, especially with what’s going on in Australia with the bush fires right now that makes this book so much harder to read and actually made me cry. The battle scenes were epic, and I loved that there was both a physical and a spiritual component to this war, in the end it came down to Light versus darkness. Forgiveness versus hate. Courage over fear. The power of dreams. The Christian theme woven throughout is strong and very inspiring.

I have loved this series from the first book, and this final book is everything I wanted (though I do want more books). This is one of the best Christian fantasy series in my opinion, and I recommend it to everyone! Even if you don’t like fantasy, I think you’ll be able to love this, as it’s not complicated like adult fantasy, and another world can really help to bring some points across about our world.

I received a free e-copy from Bethany House through Netgalley. I’m really happy I got to read this book early, but it hasn’t influenced my opinions as I already was hopelessly in love with this series.

A perfect finish to a perfect series. With disaster and ruin marching ever closer, Busse takes the characters we have come to love (or hate) and plunges deep into the souls, minds and hearts of each for answers, courage, hope and a victory that can only come through the bonds of unity.

*pokes the publisher* Spin off series, please?

War is here. As the Empire crashes through the wall, and the two traitorous houses join their forces, can the remaining five houses find enough resources and common ground to halt their advance? Past treacherous secrets are revealed, bitterness and mistrust, denial and callousness threaten to tear apart whatever hope of an alliance there may be between the houses. Selene is trying to figure out how she can use her gift in the way it was meant to be used to help their cause. She knows she will also need to deal with her mother and the Dark Lady at some point in the upcoming conflict. Damien is experiencing a block to his power, but can’t figure out why. And the two of them are still trying to figure out this marriage thing. And Caiaphas is trying to rally the Alliance now that Ragna has left for the battle front. Things aren’t looking very hopeful on any front.

This was a fabulous conclusion to this series. Busse continues to peel back layers in the betrayal and hurt the land faced in the past clash with the empire showing readers just what is at stake even beyond the lives on the line. The plot has a lot of different things going on, but it never felt confusing or jarring to go from one to the other. It was well balanced, and all eventually came together. I liked that not only did Selene grow in her knowledge of the Light and his ways, but Damien also had some things to learn about the Light and how to best follow him in this book. It was a good reminder that even those more mature in some areas may have things to learn. And what he learned was hugely important in a book that does see a lot of casualties. It was an important inclusion for the plot and the readers. The Light and the allusions to how that reflects God and the Christian walk were well done. It feels like the world is all its own, but there are truths to be gathered for those with eyes to see them. Damien and Selene’s relationship growth and hiccups were done quite well too. I felt like they experienced natural questions, conflicts, and hiccups for any marriage but they worked things out well and were great models of a healthy marriage for readers. My one qualm with the story was that I wish we got to see more of the other houses beyond Damien’s and Selene’s using their gifts, but that probably would’ve made the book too long. We just get snippets as it is. I also think a spin off series following Opheliana in the future might be fascinating. I fully enjoyed this entire series. It was both inspirational and a delightful read in an imaginative fantasy world. Recommended to fantasy fans, and those who like deeper meanings in their stories. The series is marketed as YA but it is sophisticated enough that adults will enjoy it too.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. There are several battles and many deaths on page. Some wounds moderately described (nothing super gory.) The gravity of death and value of life is handled very well in the story, as is dealing with grief.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The conclusion of the Ravenwood Saga series has arrived. Be sure to start with book 1, Mark of the Raven. It’s a must to read these in order.

I will admit, the genres of fantasy and YA are hit or miss for me. Sometimes I love them and get wrapped up in the epic story lines of far away worlds with legendary characters. Other times I can’t get into the stories. But I loved the entire Ravenwood Saga for all its imagery, allegories, and characters.

The third installment picks up with Selene Ravenwood stepping up to protect all of the Great Houses from the impending encroachment of the Dominia Empire. Selene perfects her gift of dream walking, but prepares to face off against the Dark Lady and her mother.

I love watching the relationship Damien Maris and Selene grow. Of course, the intrigue of Selene’s dream walking builds in Cry of the Raven as she takes her rightful place as the head of Ravenwood, using her gift the way it was intended. There are plenty of epic battle scenes as the novel focuses more on some of the other Great Houses and their gifts as they all come together to fight the Dominia Empire.

I definitely recommend the entire series, especially if you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings series or Harry Potter series. The fantasy element is excellent and the story moves at a fast-pace to keep suspense-seekers like me hooked.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The thing I love the most is the cover of Cry of the Raven. It reminds me so much of a Tolkien cover. That is what I thought of the first time I saw this cover almost six months ago. Cry of the Raven is the huge climactic moment in the three book series. Lots of tension and fighting. Learning to know what is worth fighting for. Learning to trust and love others. This story was wonderfully written with enough fantasy to capture the imagination. It is nice that all three are now published because I think I should go back and read them all one after another to grasp the complete storyline. That is usually my issue when it comes to fantasy. If they aren't all available at the same time, then, as a reader, I forgot certain elements of the past stories when I return to the stories. Not that there is really anything to do about this. I know with the publishing schedules; it is hard for a publishing company to publish all three at once. Overall, Cry of the Raven is truly unique story that reminded me a lot of Tolkien's mythology. If readers enjoy Tolkien, then they might want to try Busse's stories.

I received a complimentary copy of Cry of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Cry of the Raven is book three in Ravenwood Saga. In order to fully appreciate this story you will need to begin with book one, Mark of the Raven.

I don’t want to say to much or give away any spoilers so I’ll just say that all in all I found this to be a very satisfying completion to an excellent trilogy, fully rounding out character development, trying up loose ends and even bringing unexpected redemption.

I recommend this series to you.

I received a free digital galley of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

“Remember what we’re fighting for."

Cry of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse

My thoughts:

There is darkness in this world that Busse has created. Darkness is creeping over the lands, seeking to devour the seven Great Houses. Darkness is whispering in people's dreams, feeding their fears and hopelessness. And yet there is a Light stronger than the darkest night. This is the story of the dreamerwalker who spread that Light in this world's darkest days.

Lady Selene Ravenwood Maris has come a long way over the last 3 books. To quote my review on the first entry of the series:

"Have you ever gone through a period in your life when everything is dark and dismal? When hope and joy are things that only exist in theory? That is Lady Selene's everyday life. Smiles and laughter are few and far between as she is burdened by duty and the dark secrets of her Great House of Ravenwood. She is a highly moral woman being manipulated down a dark path. She is asked to set her morality aside, lock away her heart, and follow the deadly path of the dreamers before her. She is self-sacrificing and quiet. She's serious and struggles to keep any and all vulnerabilities under lock and key."

In this book, she has learned to love and be loved. She has set aside the dark ways of her mother and the dreamers before her to fully explore what their gifts were truly intended for. To quote this book:

"The dreamer comforts the weary, inspires the broken, and brings peace to fearful minds."

Selene does all those things and more.

The romance between her and her husband, Lord Damien Maris is sweet and not overdone. It's also very clean. My only complaint there is that I tended to struggle to retain interest everytime they were separated. Everytime they reunited, my attention snapped right back into focus. I would've liked to have seen them fight together more than they did.

Damien also has nice character development. He started the series as a good man held back in some ways by grief. He ends this book as a great man who learns how to not be crippled by loss. He remembers his father once telling him:

"You have a big heart. And it hurts to see the pain in this world. But that’s not a weakness. It is your hidden strength. Never forget that.”

Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to the series. I would definitely read any book that was set in this world Busse created and I hope to read more about the seven Great House.

I recieved this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

"And then her heart changed, or at least she understood it; and the winter passed, and the sun shone upon her."

The Return of the King by J.R.R Tolkien

“Numb. So numb. The only thing Selene could feel was the dull thump of her heart beating as she sat beside the window in the guest chambers the next day.” - Opening line of “Cry of the Raven” by Morgan L. Busse

Cry of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse is the conclusion to the three part Ravenwood Saga. Selene and Damien stand on the brink of war as they try to unite the Great Houses to fight the empire. With Selene’s mother and one Great House on their side, the empire looks formidable and begins to breakdown the border protections.

Damien is struggling with his power, he is left weaker each time he uses it, Selene’s power, however, keeps getting stronger. For both, their power represents their ability to walk with the Light. As they work through their past trauma, their relationship with the Light strengthens. I really enjoyed the way Morgan wove Christian truths, particularly on forgiveness, throughout the series and she does a phenomenal job,

The book concludes with the war against the empire and I don’t cope well with bloody battle scenes, particularly ones involving horses, so if you are like me, there are parts you’ll want to skim over but it is a small part of the book. I felt the war and it’s conclusion wasn’t as interesting as the dreamscape battle so whilst I’d hoped for a more complicated end, it is a triumphant end.

I did thoroughly enjoy this series’ mystery and adventure. If you enjoy Christian speculative fiction, this is one to read. It’s a four out of five on the enJOYment scale!

Gosh, this was a tremendous novel. I've always loved Busse's ability to demonstrate the internal struggle we all grapple with between light and darkness and in Cry of the Raven she takes this to another level. I don't know how she does it; it's simply superb writing.

Lady Selene Ravenwood is a wonderfully developed character who we've seen struggle with her dreamwalking gift and in this episode we see Selene venture into the dreamscape world continually. I love how Busse portrays the 'dream world' and how we get to see both light and dark of various people Selene inhabits for a time. In this story, we see Selene's internal struggles overlaid with confrontations in dreamscapes which once again Busse does beautifully.

But this story isn't just about Selene. In fact, there's so much more. The Empire wants to take over the seven Great Houses that at the beginning of the story are hardly united. And one of the themes Busse explores is the importance of unity to overcoming evil. In addition, the importance of everyone using their spiritual gifting in a unified manner creates a strength that is unrivalled and no darkness can stand against it. It's a message for we believers: the importance of being united as a church in using our gifts for the glory of God and the rescue of mankind.

There was such a fine cast of supporting characters. The heads of the Great Houses, Damien, Lord Leo, Lord Raoul, Lord Renlar, Lady Bryren (and her magnificent flying wyverns) and so on plus others like Lady Ayaka with her healing gift and Caiaphas, Selene's father. And the bad guys were outstanding: Commander Orion (Head of the Dominia Empire), Lady Ragna and in this episode we see more of the Dark Lady. There is one battle near the end featuring Ragna and the Dark Lady which is brilliantly executed.

Often when one comes to the end of a series we want it to continue and never end but as brilliant as The Ravenwood Saga is I feel there's a completeness about it and Busse brings it to a natural and very satisfying conclusion. Could there be a spin-off? Certainly, and how neat would that be.

As another reviewer has said, each of the three books got better and better so this is a series that one must start at the beginning.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review. But I did this wanting to get my hands on the book before it was released and look forward to adding the paperback edition to my collection with the first two stories.

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?

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.

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! 🙂

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.)

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! :)

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.