Book Review: Cry of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse

And my journey with Selene and Damien is complete! **cries** I loved this series so much and was not ready for it to end! It definitely feels like more stories could be told within this world Morgan L. Busse has created, and I truly hope she does so in the future, but this was a brilliant and satisfying ending to an excellent series. If nothing else comes of this story world, I will still feel content and happy with how things wrapped up in the Ravenwood Saga.

Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire’s attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband’s power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?

I didn’t blow through this book as fast as I did book two in the series, but I think that was more due to life circumstances rather than the story itself, because I totally loved this book. It is packed with action from start to finish and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the last several chapters. Seriously, I was determined to finish the book that particular day no matter how late I had to stay up because I just had to know what happened next.

This final installment is more violent and has darker moments than the previous books, due to the fact that the war with the Empire is the focus of the story, but there is still plenty of light to be found. So it’s not totally stressful and depressing the whole way through. I was really relieved to discover this, because I was so worried the book would just be so agonizing to read.

Even more than in the second book, the spiritual themes that are interwoven so expertly by the author really made me think. For the last few days since finishing the book, I have been contemplating the real life truths I gleaned from this entirely fantastical story-the fact that all of our gifts belong to God and everything we do with those gifts should be to worship and glorify Him, and how the different gifts we are given all work together to highlight different aspect of His character. My constant prayer has been one of offering my gifts back to God and asking Him to use me/them as He sees fit. And that, my friends, is a well-written story! One that can convey a deep message and impact the heart while not being a distraction from the story itself.

I also loved seeing Damien and Selene’s personal arcs reach their climax and conclusion, and how they have grown into better individuals over the course of the series. Like I said, I do think there is room for more of their story or more of other character’s stories, but I am truly satisfied with how everything turned out. **sigh** I will miss these characters so much!

If you enjoy Christian fantasy, or are looking to give it a try, then you need to read this series! It is excellent from start to finish and is sure to become a favorite series on your bookshelf. 5/5 Stars for Cry of the Raven!