Reviews

The Broken Raven by Joseph Elliott

gladys_enmarte's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

En esta continuación los personajes comienzan los planes para volver a recuperar sus tierras, que fueron tomadas por miembros de otro clan en el libro anterior. De momento son huéspedes en el territorio de otro enclave, el Clann-na-Bruthaich, en agradecimiento por haberlos liberado de los 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑚𝘩𝑎𝑖𝑛. Pero no son bienvenidos por algunos de sus miembros, las reservas de comida no son suficientes para ambos y se viene un invierno crudo, así que hay un poco de tensión entre ambos. Además, de nuevo, deben enfrentarse a los  𝑠𝑔𝑎̀𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 y encontrar una forma de vencer a esas sombras de una vez por todas. Pero no saben que del otro lado están haciendo planes para atacar sus tierras.

Como en el libro anterior, las aventuras -o mejor dicho desventuras- están narradas a tres voces por Jaime, Agatha y por nuevo personaje, una niña llamada Sigrid, que vive en Norvega.
Hay nuevos personajes secundarios, algunos que fueron mencionados en el libro primero, y otros nuevos. Reaparecen también personajes queridos que ayudan a los protagonistas con su propósito.
En cuanto a la evolución de los personajes se nota a Jaime estancado, es el mismo del libro anterior, su progreso es minúsculo, todavía duda mucho de sí mismo. En cambio, se nota en Agatha una evolución, ha aprendido a controlar su ira espontánea cuando los demás no quieren hacerle caso y no duda en ir afuera cuando los demás corren peligro.

Dato: la protagonista tiene síndrome de Down en una sociedad en la que no se conoce bien esta condición y por lo tanto son desechados al nacer. Agatha es la única que ha sobrevivido.
















squaresofliving's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I do think the characters are unique, and that last page has me all intrigued for the next book (which is on my shelf), but I'm not a fan of adventures only, and I'm really not into action scenes which there were a lot of in this book. I'm thinking there'll be a lot of fighting in the last book too, so that makes me less eager to start it right away. 

ternary's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

wyllow_tree's review

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adventurous inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hyacinth_girl's review against another edition

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4.0

Book two was pretty great! I'm notoriously indifferent about second books in trilogies (with some exceptions) but I enjoyed this one. The introduction of a new character helped to build-up for the third book, and I was glad to see the return of many secondary characters. Unlike the first book, there were some plot points that seemed to resolve a little too easily, but the ending still took me by surprise. I'm looking forward to the third book to see how it all ends.

bluewithstars's review against another edition

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5.0

Well worth the wait! I loved book 1 and this 2nd installment in the trilogy did not disappoint. Joseph Elliott has a way of hooking you in from the first page to the last. I particularly love the strong characters, especially Aggie. Cannot wait for book 3 now!

oldandnewbooksmell's review against another edition

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5.0

After returning to Skye, Agatha and Jaime, along with the rest of their clan, are staying with the clan they were rescued with, the Clan-na-Bruthaich, as the treacherous members of the Raasay clan refuse to give them their enclave?! back. Shortly after, another disaster strikes when the shadow creatures known as sgàilean escape from their stolen necklace prison. Agatha and Jaime, with the help of some allies new and old, must use their courage again to help aid in this new fight.

All the while, a girl named Sigrid, who's chained to the king as his 'new eyes', set sail from Norveg to the court of King Edmund of Ingland, where a dangerous alliance begins. Sigrid, who has an extraordinary memory and a tattoo of a 'neck snapped raven' on her face, works to free herself from the king. She too finds allies in those unexpected but also discovers enemies as well.

All three protagonists must use their special powers to save those they care about from the planes of vengeful monarchs.

As from the book before, I absolutely loved this book. I'm slightly glad I waited as long as I did to read the first one because I was able to get this book shortly after finishing it. Now though, I've got to wait for the third book and that's going to be a killer! I was so fascinated with the land of Skye and it's people, as well as those of the bull rider's clan. Even though it's mythical, this still isn't a time period I read about frequently so it's an adventure to go on.

Both Agatha and Jaime are characters that put a smile on my face. I wasn't even 'away from them' long between reading the first and second book, and when I was first reintroduced to them this time around, I couldn't help but feeling like meeting old friends. The same honestly goes for re-meeting Cray as well (the relationship between Cray and Jaime makes me giggle at their bantering).

We meet Sigrid in this novel. A young deamhan, her mother pays someone, essentially under the table, to tattoo a raven on her face. The tattooist doesn't have the best talent and makes her raven look like it's got a broken neck. You learn a lot about Sigrid within the chapters of this book, and man, did I quickly care about her and her wellbeing. Joseph Elliott sure does show you both sides of a coin doesn't he? The deamhan people are the ones who kidnapped and enslaved the clans of Skye, yet Sigrid's granpa has taught her that's not how it should be. The way Elliott wrote her language was also unique and, after getting use to it, was an interesting voice to hear while reading.

SpoilerI do hope Sigrid is okay and gets to reunite with her granpa someday.


This series has been creeping up in my Top 5 YA Series list. I'm excited and I can't wait until Book #3 to see where Joseph Elliott takes these characters.

dani3773's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

the_cat_whisperer's review

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

cynsworkshop's review against another edition

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4.0

Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop

The Broken Raven continues the journey of Agatha and Jamie as they return to their homeland. Unfortunately, their land is still taken over by those who betrayed them, forcing them to live in an enclave with the clave they saved from the hands of the cruel king of Norveg.

Interesting Writing
What was most interesting is the way Elliot decided to write the novel. Now, I am not a reader familiar with old English, Gaelic, or Celtic, but what I can say is it was a unique way that Elliot decided to tell the story. The language and style of writing caught me off guard only because I was not expecting it. It does not hinder the reading. Instead, it makes the story more accessible to the reader.

Elliot made a great decision with the writing, especially when you consider that the main character is autistic. The story is a breeze to read because it is engaging. However, the words and language are phonetically structured, the way it sounds, which is excellent because it will help people who have difficulty reading, and those just learning to read. Honestly, it made the style, while unpredictable, making reading more enjoyable.

Character Development
Now, what The Broken Raven did that The Good Hawk did not was give Jamie a chance to shine. Agatha still shines in this novel as much as the previous novel, which is remarkable for diversity and representation. Once again, it is great to see an autistic individual given a chance to shine in literature; it gives any readers out there an opportunity to see that society should not limit them and they can do whatever they set their minds to. It is empowering to see her respected for change.

However, for Jamie, he did not get a chance to shine so much in The Good Hawk, whereas now Elliot delved more into his growth as a hero and a character. Jamie and Agatha witnessed much death in the previous novel. With everything happening now, the rising tension with the Clan they saved, Jamie is trying to recover from the previous novel’s pain; he is learning to overcome his issues and the traumatic experiences while also learning to accept his sexuality. Elliot gives more time and devotion to growing out his characterization.

Final Thoughts
The Broken Raven is a captivating novel with an engaging plot and characterization while also being accessible for everyone.

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