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eleanor_nicbhatair's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Out of the whole series, this is the book I remembered the least about so I very much enjoyed reading it again!
missmeesh's review against another edition
5.0
I will admit, it took me a while to get into it. Try it took me twice to even get past the eighth chapter. However, I persevered, and I definitely was rewarded. I loved the story line, once I really thought about it, and I was extremely excited to get the next book and read it too.
There were a few things that I did not like, but, at the expense of the people who have not read the book but are reading this, I will not say anything about those issues for me.
I do recommend you read it, especially if you have read the other books in the series.
Hem is a not-so-average Bard. After all, he is an orphan, had a horrible childhood, and only recently accepted Bards and the Bard that is inside him. While his sister is off searching in the north, Hem ends up with his own problems; the Dark is attacking the city, and he is watching it crumble before his eyes. But there is something he can do…at the possible expense of his life.
In the thrilling third book in the series of Pellinor, this novel will be just as thrilling as the other two.
For more reviews on novels like this (and longer reviews), visit http://whataboutthatbook.wordpress.com/, a book blog for book lovers.
There were a few things that I did not like, but, at the expense of the people who have not read the book but are reading this, I will not say anything about those issues for me.
I do recommend you read it, especially if you have read the other books in the series.
Hem is a not-so-average Bard. After all, he is an orphan, had a horrible childhood, and only recently accepted Bards and the Bard that is inside him. While his sister is off searching in the north, Hem ends up with his own problems; the Dark is attacking the city, and he is watching it crumble before his eyes. But there is something he can do…at the possible expense of his life.
In the thrilling third book in the series of Pellinor, this novel will be just as thrilling as the other two.
For more reviews on novels like this (and longer reviews), visit http://whataboutthatbook.wordpress.com/, a book blog for book lovers.
lalodragon's review against another edition
4.0
This is definitely the best young adult fantasy series I've read.
murmuration19's review against another edition
4.0
At first I didn't like this one as much, partly because I wanted to get back to Maerad's story in Book 4. But finally I got a little more drawn into Hem's story, and the last half was quite hard to put down. I wonder what it would have been like if The Riddle and The Crow were interwoven? Well, either way, I'm looking forward to the conclusion.
allison_r's review against another edition
5.0
A confession: I was very leery when I began reading "The Crow". The Pellinor series had just emerged from "The Riddle," and it was not looking so hot. And so it was with trepidation that I began reading the third book.
I was surprised and pleased to discover that "The Crow" is much more like a companion than a sequel and could be read on its own with little difficulty. It follows the story of Hem, the heroine's younger brother.
After being stolen from his family, lured by the dark side, and dragged halfway across the world, Hem finally has a chance to settle down in Turbansk with his mentor, Saliman. Alison Croggon shows a delightful writing skill in this novel. It was not long before I cared deeply for Hem, and when he discovers an orphan girl named Zelika, I welcomed her gladly into the fold.
The plot thickened, and Hem, with Saliman and Zelika, is forced to leave the beautifully crafted city of Turbansk. Hem's journey carries him across the continent on a quest that fans of Alison Croggon's earlier work will not have forseen.
This story is a tragedy. It is a story of a boy who passes through every imaginable hardship and cruelty that can be thrust upon the human race and retains his humanity. "The Crow" is a beautiful, intricate novel, and I highly recommend it.
I was surprised and pleased to discover that "The Crow" is much more like a companion than a sequel and could be read on its own with little difficulty. It follows the story of Hem, the heroine's younger brother.
After being stolen from his family, lured by the dark side, and dragged halfway across the world, Hem finally has a chance to settle down in Turbansk with his mentor, Saliman. Alison Croggon shows a delightful writing skill in this novel. It was not long before I cared deeply for Hem, and when he discovers an orphan girl named Zelika, I welcomed her gladly into the fold.
The plot thickened, and Hem, with Saliman and Zelika, is forced to leave the beautifully crafted city of Turbansk. Hem's journey carries him across the continent on a quest that fans of Alison Croggon's earlier work will not have forseen.
This story is a tragedy. It is a story of a boy who passes through every imaginable hardship and cruelty that can be thrust upon the human race and retains his humanity. "The Crow" is a beautiful, intricate novel, and I highly recommend it.
librosyalgomas's review against another edition
3.0
interesante el punto de vista de Hem y tiene un gran final!!! pero igual fue muy lento y aburrido como casi todas las fantasias epicas
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
This book is my favourite so far in the series! I love Hem's character and found this delving into the Dark really interesting and compelling. Where Maerad's books seem to drag, this one was fast paced and fun. I can't believe the ending about Zelika, so I'll stay tuned next volume. I live by the principle that if you don't "see" a character die, they will come back later and prove to be alive.
sgunther's review against another edition
4.0
The main character in this book is not the same person that was in the first two books in the series. Instead, it is from the point of view of her younger brother, but it takes place during the exact same time that The Riddle does. They are very far apart from each other though, so it's not like you're hearing the same exact story twice. It's a little sketchy in the beginning, because you miss Maerad (the other main character) but once you get used to Hem, it's a great addition to the series.
cassiekuczi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, and War
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Within the Books of Pellinor series, I enjoyed Hem’a story most of all so far. Croggan writes his development from a small boy with a horrid childhood into a strong, older child who takes on bigger heroics than he ought to very well.
Overall, the pace of this book was a lot tighter than the first two; we’re well set into the world by now and understand all the rules. The war in Turbansk, the chase into the mines, the children’s training in spy work, and Hem’s deep cover into the children’s army all happened at a good pace, with moments to pause but plenty of action.
The entire concept of the children’s army is horrific and spellbinding; really good storytelling that triggered a visceral reaction, and portrayed the evil of the Nameless One better than any other description - show, don’t just tell at its finest.
I also was so surprised and heartbroken over Zelika’a death. Like Hem, I believed she was alive until the very end. It also made Hem’s foray into the children’s army even more devastating, since he couldn’t have saved Zelika either way.
And lastly, Irc is the best character. Full stop.
Overall, the pace of this book was a lot tighter than the first two; we’re well set into the world by now and understand all the rules.
The entire concept of the children’s army is horrific and spellbinding; really good storytelling that triggered a visceral reaction, and portrayed the evil of the Nameless One better than any other description - show, don’t just tell at its finest.
I also was so surprised and heartbroken over Zelika’a death. Like Hem, I believed she was alive until the very end. It also made Hem’s foray into the children’s army even more devastating, since he couldn’t have saved Zelika either way.
And lastly, Irc is the best character. Full stop.