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sheeprustler's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kellyvandamme's review
5.0
It’s no secret I’m a huge Jonathan Janz fan. At a point where I’d all but forgotten about horror, he was the one who reminded me why I loved the genre, the one who encouraged me to pick up horror again. I’ve been a firm fan of his and Flame Tree Press ever since, and although I haven’t read his entire backlist yet, it’s safe to say I have found a new favourite in The Raven.
The night he met the cannibals, Dez made the mistake of leaving his hiding place too early.
This is the opening line of The Raven (note that it was taken from the ARC) and just like that I was hooked. Cannibals?! Madness! I needed to know more!
Dez “the Raven” McClane is a Latent a.k.a. a regular person without any kind of supernatural power in a world riddled with people who aren’t quite human anymore. You see, the myths and folklore of yore were based in truth, but mythological creatures had either gone into hiding or the non-human genes were dormant in their offspring. Until a group of scientists decided to launch a virus, an airborne virus that could also be spread by touch, and the infected didn’t have any symptoms at all, thus infecting literally everyone they came into contact with. Lots of people died, and the ones who survived were not entirely human, bar a few exceptions like Dez.
So we have cannibals here – maneaters who gain superhuman strength from eating people – bloodthirsty vampires, raging werewolves, witches, satyrs, all kind of mentalists, you name it, it’s roaming the earth. Yet The Raven is not about them, it’s about a regular guy who used to be an English teacher (hence his nickname) and who’s had to learn to fend for himself. Everyone he once knew is dead, and the woman he loved was taken from him and he’s just trying to stay alive and save his lover in this dog-eat-dog world where it’s kill or be killed.
I love a good dystopian tale and The Raven gives the genre quite a spin. Many dystopian horror novels focus on zombies or zombie-like creatures, but there’s not a zombie in sight. Getting caught by one of the creatures in this world might get you violated, or drained of your blood, or just plain eaten, in any case you’ll be dead and you’ll stay dead. Unlike zombies, these creatures are intelligent, they flock together, they work together to get their prey, even enlist Latents to help them.
So taken at face value this is a riveting thriller / horror story. But just underneath the surface, there is the question: what lengths would you go to in order to survive? Would you learn how to fight, get a gun, a machete, a crossbow for self-defence? Or would you seek safety with the predators?
Once of the things I admire most about Jonathan Janz novels, and The Raven is no exception, is that this is an author who knows how to set a scene, how to paint a picture with a few well-chosen words, allowing me to watch an entire scene play out before my mind’s eye with little effort, even when it concerns places I’ve never been and beings I’ve never seen (and god let’s hope I never do!).
If dystopian horror is your jam, you need to get The Raven on your TBR stat!
The night he met the cannibals, Dez made the mistake of leaving his hiding place too early.
This is the opening line of The Raven (note that it was taken from the ARC) and just like that I was hooked. Cannibals?! Madness! I needed to know more!
Dez “the Raven” McClane is a Latent a.k.a. a regular person without any kind of supernatural power in a world riddled with people who aren’t quite human anymore. You see, the myths and folklore of yore were based in truth, but mythological creatures had either gone into hiding or the non-human genes were dormant in their offspring. Until a group of scientists decided to launch a virus, an airborne virus that could also be spread by touch, and the infected didn’t have any symptoms at all, thus infecting literally everyone they came into contact with. Lots of people died, and the ones who survived were not entirely human, bar a few exceptions like Dez.
So we have cannibals here – maneaters who gain superhuman strength from eating people – bloodthirsty vampires, raging werewolves, witches, satyrs, all kind of mentalists, you name it, it’s roaming the earth. Yet The Raven is not about them, it’s about a regular guy who used to be an English teacher (hence his nickname) and who’s had to learn to fend for himself. Everyone he once knew is dead, and the woman he loved was taken from him and he’s just trying to stay alive and save his lover in this dog-eat-dog world where it’s kill or be killed.
I love a good dystopian tale and The Raven gives the genre quite a spin. Many dystopian horror novels focus on zombies or zombie-like creatures, but there’s not a zombie in sight. Getting caught by one of the creatures in this world might get you violated, or drained of your blood, or just plain eaten, in any case you’ll be dead and you’ll stay dead. Unlike zombies, these creatures are intelligent, they flock together, they work together to get their prey, even enlist Latents to help them.
So taken at face value this is a riveting thriller / horror story. But just underneath the surface, there is the question: what lengths would you go to in order to survive? Would you learn how to fight, get a gun, a machete, a crossbow for self-defence? Or would you seek safety with the predators?
Once of the things I admire most about Jonathan Janz novels, and The Raven is no exception, is that this is an author who knows how to set a scene, how to paint a picture with a few well-chosen words, allowing me to watch an entire scene play out before my mind’s eye with little effort, even when it concerns places I’ve never been and beings I’ve never seen (and god let’s hope I never do!).
If dystopian horror is your jam, you need to get The Raven on your TBR stat!
alandd's review
3.0
Devoré la primera mitad del libro de una sola vez. Me fascinó que Dez parecía ser un personaje tan humano, un hombre muy real con virtudes y defectos, torturado por su pasado y su debilidad, porque no es un héroe, no es un adulto fuerte capaz de hacer todo. No es Rambo, en resumen, sino un hombre común muerto de miedo y marcado por el trauma después de que todo el mundo se derrumbó.
Reseña completa:https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2020/09/book-review-raven.html
I devoured the first half of the book in a single sitting. It fascinated me that Dez seemed to be such a human character, a very real man with virtues and flaws, tortured by his past and his weakness, because he's not a hero, not a strong adult capable of doing everything. He's not Rambo, in short, but a common man scared to death and scarred with trauma after the whole world went down.
Full review: https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2020/09/book-review-raven.html
Reseña completa:https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2020/09/book-review-raven.html
I devoured the first half of the book in a single sitting. It fascinated me that Dez seemed to be such a human character, a very real man with virtues and flaws, tortured by his past and his weakness, because he's not a hero, not a strong adult capable of doing everything. He's not Rambo, in short, but a common man scared to death and scarred with trauma after the whole world went down.
Full review: https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2020/09/book-review-raven.html
bergamotandbooks's review
3.0
3 STARS
Fearing that mankind is heading toward nuclear extinction, a group of geneticists unleash a plot to save the world. They’ve discovered that mythological creatures such as werewolves, vampires, witches, and satyrs were once real, and that these monstrous genetic strands are still present in human DNA. These radical scientists unleash the bestial side of human beings that had been dormant for eons, and within months, most people are dead, and bloodthirsty creatures rule the earth.
Despite the fact that Dez McClane has no special powers, he is determined to atone for the lives he couldn’t save and to save the woman he loves. But how long can a man survive in a world full of monsters?
.
.
.
Doesn't this premise sound ahhh-mazing?? THE RAVEN is an apocalyptic horror-fantasy based in the very near future where you either genetically adapt...or die. Unless you're one of the unlucky "latents" like Dez, who didn't end up with any special powers after the world went to hell in a hand basket (but still managed to survive.)
Had I read this several years ago I would have completely devoured it. THE RAVEN is exactly the kind of book I would have loved to read during my urban fantasy kick. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, I just couldn't get into this one. Not to say it was poorly written (it's not) or that the plot sucked (it didn't!) I just had trouble immersing myself in Dez' world. I can see this taking off as a very popular series with a certain group of readers so I don't discourage anyone from trying it out. It just wasn't for me.
This was my first book by Janz and although I didn't enjoy THE RAVEN as much as I'd hoped, I will definitely be picking up more by him. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my ARC! THE RAVEN is out now.
Fearing that mankind is heading toward nuclear extinction, a group of geneticists unleash a plot to save the world. They’ve discovered that mythological creatures such as werewolves, vampires, witches, and satyrs were once real, and that these monstrous genetic strands are still present in human DNA. These radical scientists unleash the bestial side of human beings that had been dormant for eons, and within months, most people are dead, and bloodthirsty creatures rule the earth.
Despite the fact that Dez McClane has no special powers, he is determined to atone for the lives he couldn’t save and to save the woman he loves. But how long can a man survive in a world full of monsters?
.
.
.
Doesn't this premise sound ahhh-mazing?? THE RAVEN is an apocalyptic horror-fantasy based in the very near future where you either genetically adapt...or die. Unless you're one of the unlucky "latents" like Dez, who didn't end up with any special powers after the world went to hell in a hand basket (but still managed to survive.)
Had I read this several years ago I would have completely devoured it. THE RAVEN is exactly the kind of book I would have loved to read during my urban fantasy kick. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, I just couldn't get into this one. Not to say it was poorly written (it's not) or that the plot sucked (it didn't!) I just had trouble immersing myself in Dez' world. I can see this taking off as a very popular series with a certain group of readers so I don't discourage anyone from trying it out. It just wasn't for me.
This was my first book by Janz and although I didn't enjoy THE RAVEN as much as I'd hoped, I will definitely be picking up more by him. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my ARC! THE RAVEN is out now.
zooloo1983's review
5.0
This may be a ranting review because Mr Janz what are you doing to me!!! I really bloody hope there is another book and you know maybe a third or a fourth! I was enjoying the book, it was intense there at the end and then…then…bam…Acknowledgements. Now I checked my kindle just in case I was missing something, check my book to see if I was missing pages or anything had come loose. I text Kate (Portable Magic) to ask if it was the same for her. I can’t repeat what I said to her afterwards, it’s too spoiler territory but she did laugh at me. I howled at the moon in despair, wait what?! But no bottom line is, I had the complete book and ebook, I’m not missing anything. My other conclusion is that Mr Janz has finished the book and maybe it cut off at the printers? Or he forgot to send that bit to the publishers? I can come up with many theories here but none of this detracts what a wild ride this book is!
Now everyone who is anyone in my little bubble knows that this author, the legend that he is, is my go-to for all things spooky and gory. This is most definitely the gory side of things, I did also make the mistake of starting this book on my lunch break. Now nothing normally puts me off my food, ever, but this book well I might have felt slightly queasy, so that is an accomplishment there! I mean if flayed penises are your thing at lunchtime come on over and join the crew.
The worrying thing about The Raven is I have always a small fear about books and films about a chemical that can make people into zombies, carry the virus which makes them crazy, you know the everyday world we are living in now!! So when this book pops up, I don’t read the blurb, don’t need to, but man this book could be just as real as any other romance or thriller we read. This is a lab-based virus which wipes people out, and then others with “junk” DNA can turn in to a whole array of mystical creatures it’s astounding. Something I think could happen now! I mean hello Resident Evil, Covid?
I have so many theories with this book but I can’t share them here for the fear of spoiling but if you read it and want to discuss feel free to message me! I have theories behind why he is called The Raven. I have theories about the Edgar Allen Poe poem mentioned in the book. I have a theory about the entire book! But these are theories, let’s talk about the book!
This book is one heck of a gruesome, Walking Dead kinda vibe. Think Neagan and you have Keaton, only not as hot. You have to have a bad guy, and this guy is as bad as they come, remember the penis comment, well thank him! I found it fascinating the combination of the supernatural creatures in a community. We have everything you can think of and then you have the Latents, the no supernatural abilities whatsoever which add an extra spice to the book. It is a tale of man, Dez, seeking revenge, best kind and well things don’t always work out how you expect them. So much blood, guts and gore you will be sliding all over the place, just how it’s meant to be in Shadeland. Yes, we are back there again and I love it! This place is like Maine in a King book, just don’t ever go there!!
I haven’t even spoken about the main characters or any characters really. I don’t think I will, I think you should meet them yourself. They all have their own story for you to hear plus they tell it better than me. Just make sure you listen closely.
I feel like I had some sort of weird trippy drug trip with this book. There is so much going on in such few pages. Still, with its homage to a Richard Laymon book, it packs quite a few punches. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though my mojo has gone on holiday, I know that a Janz book is one that will pick me up straight away. I mean how long is this review!!
Bottom line, I want more of the Raven and I want more of Janz’ stories! Win-win really! Janz has all the magic of a horror book, the tension, the backstory, the girl, enough to keep you on hanging on the hook demanding more (have I done that enough!?). He powers through you with all of this and he leaves you with the taste of blood in your mouth and a need for more.
Now everyone who is anyone in my little bubble knows that this author, the legend that he is, is my go-to for all things spooky and gory. This is most definitely the gory side of things, I did also make the mistake of starting this book on my lunch break. Now nothing normally puts me off my food, ever, but this book well I might have felt slightly queasy, so that is an accomplishment there! I mean if flayed penises are your thing at lunchtime come on over and join the crew.
The worrying thing about The Raven is I have always a small fear about books and films about a chemical that can make people into zombies, carry the virus which makes them crazy, you know the everyday world we are living in now!! So when this book pops up, I don’t read the blurb, don’t need to, but man this book could be just as real as any other romance or thriller we read. This is a lab-based virus which wipes people out, and then others with “junk” DNA can turn in to a whole array of mystical creatures it’s astounding. Something I think could happen now! I mean hello Resident Evil, Covid?
I have so many theories with this book but I can’t share them here for the fear of spoiling but if you read it and want to discuss feel free to message me! I have theories behind why he is called The Raven. I have theories about the Edgar Allen Poe poem mentioned in the book. I have a theory about the entire book! But these are theories, let’s talk about the book!
This book is one heck of a gruesome, Walking Dead kinda vibe. Think Neagan and you have Keaton, only not as hot. You have to have a bad guy, and this guy is as bad as they come, remember the penis comment, well thank him! I found it fascinating the combination of the supernatural creatures in a community. We have everything you can think of and then you have the Latents, the no supernatural abilities whatsoever which add an extra spice to the book. It is a tale of man, Dez, seeking revenge, best kind and well things don’t always work out how you expect them. So much blood, guts and gore you will be sliding all over the place, just how it’s meant to be in Shadeland. Yes, we are back there again and I love it! This place is like Maine in a King book, just don’t ever go there!!
I haven’t even spoken about the main characters or any characters really. I don’t think I will, I think you should meet them yourself. They all have their own story for you to hear plus they tell it better than me. Just make sure you listen closely.
I feel like I had some sort of weird trippy drug trip with this book. There is so much going on in such few pages. Still, with its homage to a Richard Laymon book, it packs quite a few punches. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though my mojo has gone on holiday, I know that a Janz book is one that will pick me up straight away. I mean how long is this review!!
Bottom line, I want more of the Raven and I want more of Janz’ stories! Win-win really! Janz has all the magic of a horror book, the tension, the backstory, the girl, enough to keep you on hanging on the hook demanding more (have I done that enough!?). He powers through you with all of this and he leaves you with the taste of blood in your mouth and a need for more.
anmonsinme's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t know what I was expecting but The Raven was 100% not what I expected it to be at all!
The first few chapters are already extremely violent and gory, and the book took me on an exciting adventure, and I swear the phrase “we’re going on an adventure” keeps appearing in my head
The first few chapters are already extremely violent and gory, and the book took me on an exciting adventure, and I swear the phrase “we’re going on an adventure” keeps appearing in my head
reads_vicariously's review
5.0
Basically the earth is overrun by creatures from myth and folklore after that a group of scientists thought it would be a good idea to trigger dormant monster DNA in humans. In this post apocalyptic hellscape humans are in the minority, and Dez McClane is one of the few left trying to survive in a world of werewolves, vampires, cannibals, and other monstrosities. Dez is facing all odds to find his wife, and along the way he comes across many colorful characters, even teaming up with a few by the end.
So I’m COMPLETELY onboard just from the premise (the whole post-apocalyptic monster world thing), but then Janz goes in with the quality writing, interesting well-developed characters, and top notch action/suspense and this became a book I read voraciously. Like I was on vacation and I just wanted to ignore everyone and read. It didn’t take but till page 40 that I knew I had something special in my hands. So many memorable characters and scenes, and so many cool ideas!
Apart from the obvious monsters, I love the idea that Latents are still out there, meaning anyone could at any moment turn into something crazy (which does indeed happen in the balls-to-the-wall insane climax of the book). There’s also plenty of suspense, brutal violence, and well-balanced humor throughout. I’m seriously trying to avoid writing this like a gushing fanboy, and likely failing. I just enjoyed this book so much!! It’s also set up perfectly for a sequel, so I’m gonna need @jonathan.janz to hurry up with that
So I’m COMPLETELY onboard just from the premise (the whole post-apocalyptic monster world thing), but then Janz goes in with the quality writing, interesting well-developed characters, and top notch action/suspense and this became a book I read voraciously. Like I was on vacation and I just wanted to ignore everyone and read. It didn’t take but till page 40 that I knew I had something special in my hands. So many memorable characters and scenes, and so many cool ideas!
Apart from the obvious monsters, I love the idea that Latents are still out there, meaning anyone could at any moment turn into something crazy (which does indeed happen in the balls-to-the-wall insane climax of the book). There’s also plenty of suspense, brutal violence, and well-balanced humor throughout. I’m seriously trying to avoid writing this like a gushing fanboy, and likely failing. I just enjoyed this book so much!! It’s also set up perfectly for a sequel, so I’m gonna need @jonathan.janz to hurry up with that
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
4.0
What do you associate with an awesome reading experience? The final page has been digested, the last word consumed, and time feels like it has literally stood still. The Raven made me feel like I was in a different place…in a different time. The book felt like it was magnetised to my fingers. If I had to put it down to do you know, adulty things, I ended up looking for any excuse to get straight back to it.
I’m ashamed to say that this was my first Jonathan Janz book, but it will a gazillion per cent not be the last. The Raven was fully inhaled in one sitting and I was all in and invested in the story. I was carried away by the cognitively pleasing atmosphere and a narrative style that just etched a lasting impression upon my soul. This being my first book by Janz, I wasn’t sure just what I was letting myself in for. It was a closed door, I needed the key that would open up a whole new world that I just needed to explore. The narrative is so pleasingly savage and brutal with monsters, potential human extinction and scary as shit DNA lying dormant.
My true love is horror and one that is written so perfectly such as this gives me the book hangover to end all hangovers. The Raven is just so compulsive and dark that it reminds me of the crack in the earth’s crust after a monumental earthquake. Dez McClane is a survivor in the days after an apocalyptic event known as The Shift. He is trying to find his way/path in unknown territory. He is now faced with trying to survive in a world where the monsters of our nightmares are very very real. He’s unremarkable at first, but isn’t that how all of the worlds hero’s start off?
Jonathan Janz’ characterisation is a strong, swift kick to the genitals. He highlights humanity’s strengths and weaknesses, actions and consequences and death and loss being the prominent themes being portrayed through-out. This bleak world will come to life before your eyes and the characters will call out to you just like a lamenting swan song…its beautiful but devastatingly haunting. I don’t really want to reveal anything further about the plot, you need to experience the emotions that this book will wreck upon you.
The Raven had me always pulling towards the lone wolf element of the story. He’s been through a lot and continues to do so. It’s not a fairy-tale but real life and the damage that can be wrought upon the world. We can end up alone and fighting not only the beasts within our head but apparently “fictional” ones too. I’m glad I took the leap and I’ll be back for more.
The Raven is a humdinger of a Apocalyptic horror. Janz creates characters that you can relate to, who have your instant respect and then thrusts them into situations that are our deep-seated fears. Hypnotically readable.
I’m ashamed to say that this was my first Jonathan Janz book, but it will a gazillion per cent not be the last. The Raven was fully inhaled in one sitting and I was all in and invested in the story. I was carried away by the cognitively pleasing atmosphere and a narrative style that just etched a lasting impression upon my soul. This being my first book by Janz, I wasn’t sure just what I was letting myself in for. It was a closed door, I needed the key that would open up a whole new world that I just needed to explore. The narrative is so pleasingly savage and brutal with monsters, potential human extinction and scary as shit DNA lying dormant.
My true love is horror and one that is written so perfectly such as this gives me the book hangover to end all hangovers. The Raven is just so compulsive and dark that it reminds me of the crack in the earth’s crust after a monumental earthquake. Dez McClane is a survivor in the days after an apocalyptic event known as The Shift. He is trying to find his way/path in unknown territory. He is now faced with trying to survive in a world where the monsters of our nightmares are very very real. He’s unremarkable at first, but isn’t that how all of the worlds hero’s start off?
Jonathan Janz’ characterisation is a strong, swift kick to the genitals. He highlights humanity’s strengths and weaknesses, actions and consequences and death and loss being the prominent themes being portrayed through-out. This bleak world will come to life before your eyes and the characters will call out to you just like a lamenting swan song…its beautiful but devastatingly haunting. I don’t really want to reveal anything further about the plot, you need to experience the emotions that this book will wreck upon you.
The Raven had me always pulling towards the lone wolf element of the story. He’s been through a lot and continues to do so. It’s not a fairy-tale but real life and the damage that can be wrought upon the world. We can end up alone and fighting not only the beasts within our head but apparently “fictional” ones too. I’m glad I took the leap and I’ll be back for more.
The Raven is a humdinger of a Apocalyptic horror. Janz creates characters that you can relate to, who have your instant respect and then thrusts them into situations that are our deep-seated fears. Hypnotically readable.
hmf5089's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0