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James Barclay - Page 2
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NightchildNightchild
NoonshadeNoonshade
DawnthiefDawnthief


Paperback - Gollancz (2002)
First British Edition Gollancz (2001)
Buy at Amazon.co.uk Nightchild
Book Three of The Chronicles of the Raven
It begins with a tidal wave…
There is a new power coming. It will sweep aside the four colleges of magic in a massive outpouring of mana. It is the power of the land and it has manifested itself in Lyanna, a five year old girl. If, unknowing, she unleashes her power she will destroy Balaia.
Fearful of the future, desperate to maintain their influence, the colleges will do anything to control the child. Or failing that, kill her.
Terrified, the child’s mother takes her into hiding. And as the hunt for them goes on the child is testing her power and nature is turning on Balaia.
The girl’s father knows that he is the only one who can find her. He is Denser, of The Raven. The child’s mother is Erienne. But can even The Raven find Erienne? And if they do find her what should they do? Lyanna is ripping the world apart, thousands are dying.
Can The Raven afford to let her live?
‘A fantasy legend is born’ Maggie Furey
‘Truly excellent fantasy is rare. Truly excellent heroic fantasy is rarer still. Discovering a new author who writes truly excellent heroic fantasy is perhaps the rarest gem of all. James Barclay, with his Chronicles of The Raven, is such a find. Noonshade is an epic tale and Barclay tells it with a mastery that is astonishing for only a second novel’ SFSite.com
‘Packed with all the spell-chucking, city-smashing, limb-hewing violence you could want’ SFX
‘Quite simply, spectacular storytelling. The Chronicles of The Raven is one of the most exciting and exhilarating series in a long time’ Jonathan Weir, amazon.co.uk


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British Pbk Original - Gollancz (2001)
Buy at Amazon.co.uk Noonshade
Book Two of The Chronicles of the Raven
The enthralling sequel to Dawnthief takes the adventure into a new dimension.
Dnser has cast the apocalyptic spell Dawnthief, the Wytch lords are banished and Balaia can turn to defeating the teeming hordes of Wesmen.
But something has gone horribly wrong. The spell has created a rip between the dimensions, a dirty rolling patch of nothingness in the blue sky. It casts a shadow at noon. And, day by day, the shadow is growing...
As the Wesmen storm through Balaia, The Raven must answer a bizarre call from the awesome dragon Sha-Kaan. The brood Kaan are fighting a losing battle against the other broods of the dragon dimension to prevent them pouring through the ever-widening dimensional rip to lay waste to Balaia.
And somehow the raven must help them ...
James Barclay has created a fantasy epic of rare intensity and blistering pace peopled by characters you can believe in.
`(Noonshade) is an epic tale and Barclay tells it with a mastery that is astonishing for only a second novel. The dialogue is fast-paced and well-written. The plot has multiple layers and multiple story lines. The characterisation is rich and detailed. Individual characters have their own lives and struggles beyond the central story. Yet, at no time does the tale bog down under the weight of details. If you haven’t read Dawnthief, do so; if you have, pick up Noonshade and rejoice in the rare discovery: terrific fantasy from a great new author.’ sfsite.com


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Paperback - Gollancz Millenium (2000)
First British Edition Gollancz (1999)
Buy at Amazon.co.uk Dawnthief
The Chronicles of The Raven: Book I
The Raven have fought together for years, six men and an elf carving out a living as swords for hire in the wars that have torn Balaia apart, loyal only to themselves and their code.
But when they agree to escort a Xeteskian mage on a sinister mission they are pulled into a nightmare web of politics and ancient secrets that will change their lives forever. How is it that they are fighting for the Dark College of magic? Searching for the location of Dawnthief; a spell to end the world, a spell that must be cast.
Isolated, betrayed, in a land on the brink of catastrophe, The Raven are given no choice but to believe in a man who, cloaked by deceit and with a demon as a familiar, spins a wild story of a mortal threat so old it has passed into folklore.
'Dawnthief is a greathearted book written on a grand scale, and with The Raven, a close knit fellowship of veteran mercenaries, a new fantasy legend is born. An enthralling novel: gritty, down-to-earth and delightful, invoking tears and laughter by turn. This is the best new fantasy I’ve read in years’ Maggie Furey
'A breathless action-crammed fantasy thriller' David Langford
'Action fantasy at its best. Dawnthief stays fresh, sparky and intelligent (enough) throughout. A great start to what I'm sure will be a memorable series.’ SFX
'Majors on sheer energy and a fast, often frenetic, pace. Barclay writes with an assured gusto, has a great eye for action, and imbues his story with a fine imagination and jolts of wit. If ever there was a case of a plot acting like a man-trap, this is it. Barclay brings a genuine aesthetic to the fantasy action novel. A scorching debut.' Stan Nicholls, Time Out
'Heralds the arrival of a major new fantasy talent. A fabulously detailed page-turner, full of magic and adventure and immensely enjoyable from start to finish.' John Marco


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