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brookepalmer796's review against another edition
3.0
This is the 3rd book of the series, and though the story is interesting, I felt like it did little to move the storyline along.
skyepieonthefly's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favourite, nor were these my favourite characters. I think it would have been stronger told at the same time as the second novel. As well the pacing was weird in this one. It felt like a lot of waiting around.
evalyne's review against another edition
3.0
If I could have given this book three and a half stars, I would have. But seeing as I can't, I felt that I needed to give it three in order to separate it from the others in the series, to which I gave four. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others for the same reasons that other members have mentioned. In the first two books, I had grown attached to the characters of Maerad and Cadvan; as much to their triumphs and joys as to their failures and inner struggles. Hem, on the other hand, does not have this depth. He feels more like a plot device than a main character.
It is likely that Croggon feels a similar lack of sympathy for Hem, and that her writing in this book suffers because of it. The writing doesn't flow in this book as well as it did in the others. As Echo mentioned, the climax is truly a prime example of Dues Ex Machina, and a lot of the imagery seems forced.
I was sad at the end, when we find out that Zelika is dead, but that was probably the only emotion I felt throughout the entire book.
Despite all of that, I enjoyed this book. I enjoy the series as a whole, and this book advances the overall story. I'm looking forward to reading the conclusion in "The Singing".
It is likely that Croggon feels a similar lack of sympathy for Hem, and that her writing in this book suffers because of it. The writing doesn't flow in this book as well as it did in the others. As Echo mentioned, the climax is truly a prime example of Dues Ex Machina, and a lot of the imagery seems forced.
I was sad at the end, when we find out that Zelika is dead, but that was probably the only emotion I felt throughout the entire book.
Despite all of that, I enjoyed this book. I enjoy the series as a whole, and this book advances the overall story. I'm looking forward to reading the conclusion in "The Singing".
deltz025's review against another edition
4.0
A purported continuation of Croggon's translation, The Crow takes a break from the epic quest of Maerad and Cadvan to focus on Hem, Maerad's long lost brother.
After the events of The Naming, Hem is sent with the bard Saliman to his new home and school in Turbansk, a beautiful seaside kingdom with legendary defenses. In his short time attending the school, Hem finds classic education to be frustrating and ineffective. As a result, much of his time is spent dodging work by sneaking into local orchards and vineyards, sampling their wares. During one such adventure, Hem rescues a white crow, attacked by its peers, and nurses it back to health.
Unfortunately, Hem does not have time to relish in his success in saving the bird, for it is not long before Turbansk receives an ultimatum - assist the kingdom of Norloch (now under the control of an agent of the Dark) - or face civil war. Upon gambling their safety with the later, the dark sorcerer Imank begins a siege of the seaside city. As much of the city is being evacuated, Hem comes across Zelika, a noble girl who seeks vengeance for her family. Saliman quickly agrees to take the girl into his care, and offers the two teenagers the chance to stay and fight, or flee and be safe.
What follows is a powerful wartime struggle, as our new characters quickly become refugees and must take flight from haven to haven, fighting every inch of the way. Just as his sister had in the first book, Hem discovers much about himself in this much more personal entry into the series.
After the events of The Naming, Hem is sent with the bard Saliman to his new home and school in Turbansk, a beautiful seaside kingdom with legendary defenses. In his short time attending the school, Hem finds classic education to be frustrating and ineffective. As a result, much of his time is spent dodging work by sneaking into local orchards and vineyards, sampling their wares. During one such adventure, Hem rescues a white crow, attacked by its peers, and nurses it back to health.
Unfortunately, Hem does not have time to relish in his success in saving the bird, for it is not long before Turbansk receives an ultimatum - assist the kingdom of Norloch (now under the control of an agent of the Dark) - or face civil war. Upon gambling their safety with the later, the dark sorcerer Imank begins a siege of the seaside city. As much of the city is being evacuated, Hem comes across Zelika, a noble girl who seeks vengeance for her family. Saliman quickly agrees to take the girl into his care, and offers the two teenagers the chance to stay and fight, or flee and be safe.
What follows is a powerful wartime struggle, as our new characters quickly become refugees and must take flight from haven to haven, fighting every inch of the way. Just as his sister had in the first book, Hem discovers much about himself in this much more personal entry into the series.
reena's review against another edition
3.0
I like how Hem is the main character, but there is so much going on it was hard to keep track of what to pay attention to. I like the thought that both Hem and Maerd would play a part into the prophecy. The theme seems to be "family is the first home" or something like that. The fact that Saliman exist is amazing. I like him a lot and he doesn't seem to have a downside to him. Makes him seem too good to be true. Anyway, not the best out of the series but I like the imagery and I feel sad about the girl. Her exists is pitiful and she deserves better.
allycat0928's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mgi's review against another edition
5.0
The third entry into the Pellinor series.
I've reread this series multiple times, and I always find this book the hardest to get through. After 900 pages of reading Maerad's thoughts and perspective, switching to Hem's perspective can feel a bit jarring. That being said, I still enjoy this book greatly, and all of the details regarding Turbansk and the Suderain region.
At times both Hem and Zelika's actions come off as annoying. But then I'm reminding while reading that these two are only around twelve, and of course their actions are frequently juvenile.
Spoilers ahead:
I think Croggon did a great job describing the horror's of war, and the high stakes of all the various battles and fights. Additionally, I think it's interesting Croggon chose to kill off Zelika's character. To have such a large portion of the book focused on Hem's attempted rescue, only to realize Zelika has been dead all this time really solidifies the high stakes.
I've reread this series multiple times, and I always find this book the hardest to get through. After 900 pages of reading Maerad's thoughts and perspective, switching to Hem's perspective can feel a bit jarring. That being said, I still enjoy this book greatly, and all of the details regarding Turbansk and the Suderain region.
At times both Hem and Zelika's actions come off as annoying. But then I'm reminding while reading that these two are only around twelve, and of course their actions are frequently juvenile.
Spoilers ahead:
I think Croggon did a great job describing the horror's of war, and the high stakes of all the various battles and fights. Additionally, I think it's interesting Croggon chose to kill off Zelika's character. To have such a large portion of the book focused on Hem's attempted rescue, only to realize Zelika has been dead all this time really solidifies the high stakes.
nightwyrm's review against another edition
4.0
Much better story than the first two books. Hem's adventures are more interesting than his sister's.
mostlyshanti's review against another edition
4.0
The Crow is a really good addition to The Books of Pellinor. Like the other books, it doesn’t blow any of my *other* fantasy favourites out of the water, but it asks important questions, has an intriguing world, and I really like the characters.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the introductions and conclusions of these books didn’t help me to see some of the themes Croggon is dealing with. But I enjoyed them just the same. One of those themes is the impact of war. Both Hem and Maerad had pretty sucky childhoods. In Cadvan and Saliman, they have found some peace. But war is encroaching, and it’s ruining that and it’s so sad. As Hem journeys into Den Raven, you see another side of the war—the sadness of that deserted land. The conversations and thoughts that happen in the doomed Turbansk were very interesting—and still so important in our war-broken world. The importance of relationships—that they are a defense against the Darkness—is emphasised also. The way that Croggon examines how broken the natural world can get, and the importance of the relationship between humans and the environment is important also.
I really liked the culture and world that we see more of The Crow. Turbansk is an intricate city, and the culture is more Mediterranean—maybe even North African—esque, which is cool. The world unfolds very precisely and enjoyably. I never felt confused, even though I had to leave this book at home when I was one hundred pages in and only started reading again two weeks later. Den Raven is a broken land too, and it was sad but cool to explore. The history supporting these lands is so well plotted, as the appendices show.
And then there are the characters. I really liked Hem, Zelika and Irc, and the side characters are fabulous. Hem isn’t a Chosen One, like Maerad, so his stance on the greater happenings around him is more subtle, which I liked. Of course, the Chosen One is done very well in the first two books; but this, too was refreshing. Hem is struggling with his new life, which felt very realistic. His response to wanting to help is also cool—he doesn’t quite know how to help yet, but is doing the best he can. He is brave and scared. I really empathised with him. Zelika’s troubled heart—and her at the end—was so well written to. As she learns the nuances of war, and that she can’t always help in the way she wants to, she really grows up, and that made her a really strong character. I particularly remember the scene when she sees Har-Ytan going off to war as a turning point for her. Irc is delightful, and I wanted more of him. His point of view was also really well written.
It’s so easy for these big POV switches to feel interrupting in a series. And I did feel like that at first, but as the story continued I became invested for it’s own sake.
Do you love Pellinor, but want to see another story that isn’t so typically chosen one? Do you like fierce characters figuring out their place in the world? Do you like fantasy worlds that are both familiar and difference? Do you want to see more subtleties of war than *just* good and bad in fantasy? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then The Crow is probably a good book for you.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the introductions and conclusions of these books didn’t help me to see some of the themes Croggon is dealing with. But I enjoyed them just the same. One of those themes is the impact of war. Both Hem and Maerad had pretty sucky childhoods. In Cadvan and Saliman, they have found some peace. But war is encroaching, and it’s ruining that and it’s so sad. As Hem journeys into Den Raven, you see another side of the war—the sadness of that deserted land. The conversations and thoughts that happen in the doomed Turbansk were very interesting—and still so important in our war-broken world. The importance of relationships—that they are a defense against the Darkness—is emphasised also. The way that Croggon examines how broken the natural world can get, and the importance of the relationship between humans and the environment is important also.
I really liked the culture and world that we see more of The Crow. Turbansk is an intricate city, and the culture is more Mediterranean—maybe even North African—esque, which is cool. The world unfolds very precisely and enjoyably. I never felt confused, even though I had to leave this book at home when I was one hundred pages in and only started reading again two weeks later. Den Raven is a broken land too, and it was sad but cool to explore. The history supporting these lands is so well plotted, as the appendices show.
And then there are the characters. I really liked Hem, Zelika and Irc, and the side characters are fabulous. Hem isn’t a Chosen One, like Maerad, so his stance on the greater happenings around him is more subtle, which I liked. Of course, the Chosen One is done very well in the first two books; but this, too was refreshing. Hem is struggling with his new life, which felt very realistic. His response to wanting to help is also cool—he doesn’t quite know how to help yet, but is doing the best he can. He is brave and scared. I really empathised with him. Zelika’s troubled heart—and her at the end—was so well written to. As she learns the nuances of war, and that she can’t always help in the way she wants to, she really grows up, and that made her a really strong character. I particularly remember the scene when she sees Har-Ytan going off to war as a turning point for her. Irc is delightful, and I wanted more of him. His point of view was also really well written.
It’s so easy for these big POV switches to feel interrupting in a series. And I did feel like that at first, but as the story continued I became invested for it’s own sake.
Do you love Pellinor, but want to see another story that isn’t so typically chosen one? Do you like fierce characters figuring out their place in the world? Do you like fantasy worlds that are both familiar and difference? Do you want to see more subtleties of war than *just* good and bad in fantasy? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then The Crow is probably a good book for you.