Synopsis:
Fear walks with those in power.
Divided, the land of Chem hangs in the balance. In the west the Ravens seek to bring safety to women, and an end to slavery. In the east the remaining covens cling to their power, refusing to give up their way of life to foreign invaders. Across both lands the priests whisper and plot, their gods a shadowy threat hanging over them all.
To protect their young family, Kesta and Jorrun have made their home in the Raven Tower of Elden. Unable to abandon their responsibility or friends, they remain embroiled in the fight to the north. Whilst peace and friendship blossom between the Fulmers, Borrows and Elden, the arrival of strangers turns the court of Taurmaline upside down.
My Review:
Oh, how I love the Firewalker series and each subsequent book just keeps getting better. Quite something when I rated The Raven Tower 5 stars (you can read my review here). This is the third book in the series and in my opinion can not be read as a stand-alone. As always there will be no spoilers for Raven Storm, however, I will be referring to events that have already taken place.
The Story
Time has moved on since we last left Kesta and Jorrun. They are back at the Raven Tower with their two children and juggling their responsibilities in Elden, The Fulmers and Chem. Just when they think life can’t get any more intense, strangers from a foreign land turn up, threatening their way of life.
We learn so much in this story, the history of the Firewalkers is front and center as are the fire drakes. Just to add another layer, there is a crisis in Chem that must be dealt with, it will pull our main characters in all directions.
The Characters
As usual the story is told from several viewpoints. This really works as you get to see what is going on in the various lands simultaneously, it also means we get to spend time with some of our favourite characters and learn a little more about what could be some significant side characters.
Temerran, the Bard of The Borrows plays a much greater role in Raven Storm. He has so much depth to him, he really grew on me through the course of the story. His friendship with Dia is so beautifully written, Emma has captured platonic love perfectly.
Nip proved to be an interesting character. He may be young but he proves his worth and loyalty tenfold. As does Cassien, he has come such a long way since his days as a Slave in Chem, such a gentle nature. I’m really interested to see what happens with Catya, there is an untold story there.
I could write about these characters all day long. They are so complex and well rounded. I can actually visualize them away from the pages. Rosa and Tantony enjoying a quiet moment in their rooms, Dia and Arrus wondering the coast of The Fulmers. I am totally invested.
Final Thoughts
There is so much going on in this book with very little let up. The pacing is great and the action so well written you just want to keep reading. Lots of political power play and high tension but all balanced out by the quieter tender moments.
Emma’s writing is superb, there are very few books I read that I want to immediately pick back up again, this series is one of those rare few. I first read The Raven Tower almost two years ago, I remember it so clearly and have been desperate to start again with these characters.
This is truly an incredible series, a must read for any fantasy fan.
Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Raven-Storm-Fire-Walker-Book-3-ebook/dp/B08BWK1QJZ
US – https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Storm-Fire-Walker-Book-3-ebook/dp/B08BWK1QJZ
Author Bio
I often get asked when I knew I was a writer; the answer is always. A writer is what I am, it’s in my soul. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t write, and times when my writing has been the only thing that kept me going. I think I always longed for something deeper from life, something more meaningful, and I found it in my imagination and in the music of words.
It was poetry which first caught my attention, and whilst my younger cousins called for ghost stories it was animals I first wrote of. I think I gravitated toward fantasy because of the freedom it gives, I could create my own worlds and decide my own rules. My Wind’s Children trilogy was born from an image that came to me whilst daydreaming, of a young man sitting alone below a bridge. I didn’t know who he was; it turns out neither did he, but we found out together.
I’m now working on my seventh book and love writing more than ever, it’s an addiction, an obsession, but one I now share with my wonderful writing family. My beta readers, my editor, and you, my readers, having you with me on my journey means the world to me.
I write as much as I can around work, but I also try to squeeze in a ridiculous amount of hobbies! I’m a wildlife photographer and do a little archery. I paint, sculpt with clay, withies and driftwood, preferring to be outdoors if I can. I still have a love for the theatre, having started out in life studying backstage crafts, and a great love for language. I speak a little French, Romanian and Italian, ma non molto bene!
Thanks for reading this. If you read any of my books and love them, please come say hello and tell me, you’d be surprised at how much that means to an author.
Take care of yourself.
Em x
Social Media Links –
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emma-Miles/e/B0071BY45I
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaMilesShadow
I love this series can’t wait to read Raven Storm.